Endocrine System Functions, Glands, and Hormones

Vocabulary flashcards covering the components, glands, hormones, and physiological roles of the endocrine system.

Endocrine Glands

Ductless glands containing secreting cells that produce hormones.

Hormones

Complex chemicals that travel through the bloodstream and stimulate changes in other parts of the body.

Hypothalamus

The master center of the endocrine system located in the brain; regulates hunger, thirst, sleep, and body temperature to maintain homeostasis, and produces releasing hormones that stimulate the pituitary gland.

Pituitary Gland

Endocrine gland that controls all other endocrine glands and influences growth and metabolism; consists of an anterior and a posterior section.

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

Anterior pituitary hormone that stimulates the production of eggs and sperm.

Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

Anterior pituitary hormone that induces ovulation, estrogen, and progesterone production in females, and testosterone production in males.

Gonadotropins

Hormones such as FSH and LH that specifically affect the gonads.

Thyroid Stimulation Hormone (TSH)

Anterior pituitary hormone that causes the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones.

Growth Hormone (GH)

Anterior pituitary hormone that stimulates body cells to grow and maintain body size once attained.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)

Anterior pituitary hormone that causes the adrenal cortex to produce hormones; important for molting and shedding.

Prolactin (PRL)

Anterior pituitary hormone responsible for mammary gland maturation, milk production, nest building, and protection of young (parental behaviors).

Posterior Pituitary

Section of the pituitary gland that stores and releases hormones produced in the hypothalamus, specifically oxytocin and vasopressin.

Oxytocin

Hormone released by the posterior pituitary that causes uterine contractions in mammals, stimulates the release of milk, and can induce labor.

Vasopressin (Antidiuretic Hormone)

Hormone released by the posterior pituitary that regulates water loss by the kidneys.

Thyroid

Gland located in the neck under control of TSH that produces T3 and T4 (thyroxine), controls growth, provides some regulation of metabolic rate, and is key in amphibian metamorphosis.

Thyroxine (T4)

Thyroid hormone key to the endocrine cascade effects during amphibian metamorphosis.

Parathyroids

Two pairs of small glands embedded within the thyroid that produce parathyroid hormone (PYH).

Parathyroid Hormone (PYH)

Hormone that controls calcium levels in the blood and is important in bone formation and egg shell formation in birds.

Adrenal Cortex

Outer part of the adrenal gland under control of ACTH that produces hormones controlling glucose and minerals, such as cortisol and aldosterone.

Adrenal Medulla

Inner part of the adrenal gland that synthesizes epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline), vital for the fight-or-flight response to stress.

Insulin

Pancreatic hormone that regulates blood glucose by increasing glucose use and storage in cells, thereby reducing glucose levels in the bloodstream.

Glucagon

Pancreatic hormone with effects opposite to insulin on blood glucose regulation.

Diabetes

A condition caused by a lack of insulin.

Pineal Gland

Brain structure (also referred to as the third eye) that produces melatonin to help regulate diurnal rhythms.

Melatonin

Negatively light-sensitive hormone secreted during the dark by the pineal gland; regulates diurnal rhythms, causes daily and seasonal hypothermia in lizards preceding formancy, and is linked to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Winter depression in humans linked to melatonin secretion.

Estrogen

Female reproductive hormone produced by the ovaries that directs reproductive tract development, sexual behavior, and secondary sexual characteristics.

Progesterone

Female reproductive hormone produced by the ovaries that mediates mammary gland maturation and maternal behavior.

Relaxin

Female hormone that prepares the body for labor and causes cervix dilation.

Androgens

Male reproductive hormones (especially testosterone) produced by the testes that control reproductive behavior, secondary sexual characteristics, and territorial protective behavior.